Expert: Jim Hyland - 10/20/2009

Question
We have tree growing near our swimming pool that drops large, tennis ball size, green orbs into the pool every fall. First I would like to identify this tree, sort of reminds me of a mommosa leaf but has these huge nut pods.  Secondly, I know this sounds bad, but is there anyway to kill this tree?? To cut it would be easy but it would fall and put a hole in the pool cover now and in the summer it would fall in the pool itself!  If I could just kill it, it can stand there forever as far as I care.  Thanks for any help you may wish to give me.  I know this is a strange request.  lol

Answer
In the first place it will not just stand there for ever if you killed it. Over time the limbs would fall and then the trunk would fall. It would be best to go ahead and cut the tree now and not wait until it dies. You did not say how large the tree was so it will be difficult to describe how to fell the tree. larger tree can be cut by cutting the limbs off and controlling the falling limbs and then cut the trunk. which you usually can control. You may have to get a professional to do this if it is too large. When you cut it paint the fresh stump with a herbicide called Roundup. Use it right form the container not diluted.  This will kill the root system and you will not have any more problem with that tree.